Limited Edition Collector Blades
Dalstrong vs Made In Knives: Which Chef's Knife Should You Buy?
Dalstrong vs Made In knives, in short: Made In's 8 Inch Chef Knife costs $129. It's fully forged in Thiers, France, from X50CrMoV15 Nitro+ steel at 58+ HRC, with an 8.5" blade that weighs 7 oz, and it carries a lifetime warranty. Dalstrong's Gladiator 8" Chef's Knife uses the same X50CrMoV15 steel family at 54–56 HRC for $79, and the Dalstrong Shogun 8" Chef's Knife is a harder, Japanese-style option (AUS-10V, 62+ HRC) for the same $129. Choose Made In for a French-forged knife from a cookware brand. Choose Dalstrong to save $50 on German steel or for harder Japanese-style steel at the same price.
Dalstrong vs Made In at a glance
| Knife | Price | Steel | Hardness | Build / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made In 8 Inch Chef Knife | Not sold by Dalstrong | X50CrMoV15 Nitro+, fully forged | 58+ HRC | 8.5" blade, 2.3 mm thick, 7 oz, forged in Thiers, France, lifetime warranty |
| Dalstrong Gladiator 8" Chef's Knife | $79 | German X50CrMoV15 stainless | 54–56 HRC | G10, full tang, triple riveted |
| Dalstrong Shadow Black 8" Chef's Knife | $119 | 7CR17MOV-X stainless, black titanium nitride coating | 58+ HRC | G10, full tang, rivetless, NSF certified |
| Dalstrong Shogun 8" Chef's Knife | $129 | AUS-10V Japanese steel core, 66-layer Damascus | 62+ HRC | G10, full tang |
Who Made In is
Made In is best known for its cookware, including stainless clad, carbon steel and enameled cast iron. Its knives are forged in Thiers, France, a historic knife-making region. Made In says its 8 Inch Chef Knife is forged by a 5th-generation bladesmith and combines the durability of German steel with the sharpness of Japanese blades. It's full tang, with a slip-resistant handle and a lifetime warranty, and Made In recommends hand washing only.
The specs on Made In's page: 8.5" blade, 1.96" blade height, 2.3 mm thickness, 13" total length, 7 oz, and 58+ HRC.
Who Dalstrong is
Dalstrong is a knife-first brand with many series, from German-style to Japanese-style steels. See our FAQ on where Dalstrong knives are made for production details.
The Dalstrong knives to compare
Dalstrong makes several series at different price points. Three 8" chef's knives cover most buyers:
- Dalstrong Gladiator 8" Chef's Knife ($79): German X50CrMoV15 stainless, 54–56 HRC, G10, full tang, triple riveted. It's a forgiving, Western-style workhorse.
- Dalstrong Shadow Black 8" Chef's Knife ($119): 7CR17MOV-X stainless, black titanium nitride coating, 58+ HRC, G10, full tang, rivetless, NSF certified. It's a modern, all-black design.
- Dalstrong Shogun 8" Chef's Knife ($129): AUS-10V Japanese steel core, 66-layer Damascus, 62+ HRC, G10, full tang. It's the harder, Japanese-style option.
Key differences
Steel. Made In and Dalstrong Gladiator both use X50CrMoV15-family German-style steel. Made In lists 58+ HRC with its Nitro+ version, and Dalstrong lists 54–56 HRC for the Gladiator. For a harder edge, Dalstrong's Shogun is 62+ HRC.
Price. Made In's 8" is $129, the same as the Shogun and $50 more than the Gladiator.
Where it's made. Made In's knives are forged in Thiers, France. If a European-made knife matters to you, that's a real point in its favor.
Range. Made In sells a focused set of knife shapes alongside its cookware, such as a bread knife, paring knife and cleaver. Dalstrong sells a much wider range of knife shapes across many series.
Handles. Made In uses a slip-resistant handle in several colors. Dalstrong's core series use G10.
Which should you buy?
- Buy Made In if you want a French-forged knife to match Made In cookware.
- Buy Dalstrong Gladiator if you want similar German-style steel for $50 less.
- Buy Dalstrong Shogun if you'd rather spend the same $129 on a harder, Damascus-clad Japanese-style blade.
More comparisons: Dalstrong vs Misen, Dalstrong vs HexClad Knives and Wüsthof vs Dalstrong.
How to choose between Dalstrong and Made In in 7 steps
- Set a budget. Decide what one great 8" chef's knife is worth to you before you look at sets. Most people use one knife for most of their prep.
- Pick a steel style. Softer German-style steel (around 56–58 HRC) is tougher and easier to touch up. Harder Japanese-style steel (60 HRC and up) holds a keener edge longer but can chip if twisted or used on bone. See Japanese vs German Knives.
- Think about weight. Heavier, bolstered knives power through squash and chicken. Thinner, lighter blades glide through onions and herbs.
- Check the handle. Hold it in a pinch grip if you can. Handle shape matters more for comfort than any spec sheet.
- Look at how you'll sharpen. Harder steel rewards a whetstone. Softer steel is fine with a honing rod and occasional sharpening. See Honing vs Sharpening.
- Read the warranty and return terms on each brand's own site before you buy.
- Match the knife to your cookware habits, not the brand. A great pan brand isn't automatically the best knife brand for you, and vice versa.
Quick buyer's checklist
- 8" chef's knife first, extras later
- Steel hardness matches how I cut
- Handle feels right in a pinch grip
- I have a plan to hone and sharpen
- Hand wash and dry: see Can You Put Knives in the Dishwasher?
Frequently asked questions
Is Made In better than Dalstrong?
Neither is better for everyone. Made In's 8" is French-forged X50CrMoV15 Nitro+ at 58+ HRC for $129. Dalstrong's Gladiator uses similar German-style steel at 54–56 HRC for $79, and its Shogun offers 62+ HRC for $129.
Where are Made In knives made?
Made In says its knives are fully forged in Thiers, France.
What steel does Made In use for knives?
Made In lists X50CrMoV15 Nitro+ steel with a Rockwell hardness of 58+ for its 8 Inch Chef Knife.
Are Made In knives worth it?
If you want a French-forged, full-tang knife with a lifetime warranty, many buyers find $129 fair. If you want German-style steel for less, compare the $79 Dalstrong Gladiator.
Can Made In knives go in the dishwasher?
No. Made In says hand wash only and dry immediately. That's good advice for any quality knife.
Prices and specs are from each brand's own product pages, checked November 3, 2026. Prices change often. Sources: Made In 8 Inch Chef Knife page on madeincookware.com; Dalstrong Gladiator, Shadow Black and Shogun product pages.
